Vera Sweeney is a native New Yorker and mother of two children. She is the founder of I’m Not Obsessed Media, which includes LadyAndTheBlog.com, ImNotObsessed.com and BabyRazzi.com. Collectively, these sites generate over 5 million pageviews a month. Her online destinations cover a broad range of topics including entertainment and pop culture news, fashion trends, beauty product reviews, step-by-step recipe breakdowns, travel tips and her personal parenting experiences.

Vera is also the co-founder, with partner Audrey McClelland, of Getting Gorgeous. This company is dedicated to offering fashion and beauty advice to moms.

 

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood? 

Fortunately for me, I cheat. My husband stays home with me and together we manage our brand. So, between the two of us, our children are never without a parent. We take turns working and being with the kids. I have less guilt when I work because I know my children are just spending time with their father.

But I do keep “office hours”. I work from 7AM to 12PM every day – head down. At lunch, my son comes home from school and I try to limit my time at the desk. I do, however, constantly check my phone for breaking news / immediate requests. 

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

I’ve learned that all parents do the best that they can do. When you are young, it’s so easy to blame or to judge or to hate. But as you age, you realize that we are all just trying to get through this life one day at a time. I’ve learned it’s important to not put too many expectations on myself or on others.

Battling stress? Any advice?

Um… amitriptyline. No, in all honesty: reading ‘The Power of Now, Yoga twice a week, and at least an hour each night being completely unproductive.

Tools or products you can’t live without?

Well, how long do you have? Let’s see. My iPhone. Mascara. Nook. iTunes. Tinted Moisturizer. Skinny Jeans, my Mac, Facebook, Instagram, and… an unsweetened Black Tea Lemonade from Starbucks.

Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with us?

Everyone has their demons. We all have pasts that took turns for the worse and sometimes when it gets really quiet, it’s easy to sink back into those dark days. Whenever that happens, I whisper to  myself, “Just Look”.

I open my eyes wide and take in my current environment. It’s a way to remind myself where I am. I am here. Married. With Children. Happy. Safe. Loved.

“Just Look” is something I whisper to myself quite frequently. I even plan on getting it tattooed on my wrist. I just haven’t had the time.

Favorite resources, books, or website?

Websites: FoodGawker.com, Pinterest.com, Twitter.com, Google Trends, Polyvore.com

Books: The Hunger Games, The Black Dagger Brotherhood (a bit… raunchy as an FYI), again – The Power of Now, Thin Slicing, Blink, Memoirs of a Geisha. I could go on and on

What is on the horizon for you? Anything new and exciting?

I recently partnered up with Audrey McClelland, Denise Albert, Melissa Gerstein, Holly Pavlika, and Stephanie Winton Wolkoff to create ‘Strut: The Fashionable Mom Show’. We are presenting during NYFW at Lincoln Center on February 16^th. It’s the first show of its kind – highlight IN STORE fashion for moms. We are very, very exited.

 Connect with her:

Twitter:  @VeraSweeney
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INOmommy
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/veryvera1
Websites:  http://imnotobsessed.com, http://ladyandtheblog.com, http:babyrazzi.com, http://gettinggorgeousevents.com

 

Tags: getting gorgeous, motherhood lessons, Vera Sweeney, working mom spotlight

Beth Schillaci is founder of VillageWorks, author of Your Social Media Roadmap, a blogger, mom and wife.

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood? 

I have learned to let the idea of perfection go. I use to drive myself crazy trying to live up to this image I had created in my mind of what it meant to be the perfect mom and perfect business owner. Once I decided to define what I was going to consider successful, I felt a lot less stress. I’ve also learned that it is paramount to be flexible when balancing a career and motherhood. You never know when a sick child may turn your schedule upside down.

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

Allowing my daughter to find her own path. I never took a day of dance in my life, but Little J has been dancing since she was 2, and it is one of her true passions. Sure, I would love her to be involved in sports like I was growing up, but I have learned to love being a dance mom and now know the difference between a tap and jazz shoe.

Battling stress? Any advice?

Stress? What stress? I admit, this is definitely something I struggle with. I would love to be one of those people that goes out for a jog when I get stressed, but usually I raid the fridge or the pantry. I usually get stressed when feeling overwhelmed and that is when I find getting everything onto paper and creating lists really helps.

Tools or products you can’t live without?  

Sad to say, but I really couldn’t live without my iPhone. I mean I could live, but not as well as I do now. Having the freedom to field business calls and email while out of the office is something I couldn’t survive without. I love taking a phone call with an important client while at the park.

While not a tool or product, I really couldn’t make it all work without my husband and friends who are always there to lend a hand when a meeting goes too long to get to the bus stop on time or any other scheduling snafu that is part of my life.

Favorite resources, books, or website?

I find when I am looking for information or feedback, I almost always go to my social networks first. It really has become something I cannot live without.

Anything big on the horizon for you?

The thing I’m most excited about right now is a company we’ve started as a family. Little J is a huge fan of the TV show Shark Tank and after watching it one Friday night decided she wanted to own a business just like mom. Who am I to say no? After some discussion and research, Little J has decided upon a soap business that she has named SoapPrizes, due to the fact that there are toys embedded in most of the soaps. It’s really great to see her get excited about developing product ideas, choosing a logo, etc. The added bonus is the extra math lessons.

Connect with her:

Twitter:  @bethschillaci

Facebook: villageworks

Websites / Blogs: villageworks.net / marketingroadhouse.com/ mypov.com

 

Tags: balancing career and motherhood, Beth Schillaci, Maryland, working mom spotlight

Elyse Bender-Segall is a Manhattan-trained media specialist and owner of PR Revolution, a boutique sized, full service public relations and strategic communications firm with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. Elyse has worked with clients including: Nu Skin, Lunesta, Xopenex, Retin-A Micro, Renova, Conair and others.

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood? I own a company, so after my son was born last year, I had no choice but to learn to balance the two. I went back to work six days after having my little boy. At first it was really tough for me, but I learned that I am a better mommy because I work and I know that I work so that my son can have everything he wants and deserves. Since I work full time, I realize how much I now look forward to Fridays and the time I will get to spend with my son. I cherish the moments we spend together, every single one of them! I think the weekends are mostly where the balance comes into play. I used to work straight through the weekend, since my son was born that all changed. Now I will answer emails or phone calls if they are urgent, otherwise I wait until he is sleeping to do work on the weekends. He deserves my full attention on those days. During the week I work every day, but I do carve out time for special things like doctor visits or special days like his birthday. Even when my son is sick I try to work from home so he can be with his mommy.

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

My son is only one, so I am learning every single day. I am learning that patience is a virtue and if they really knew that they were doing wrong, they would not be doing it!

Battling stress? Any advice?

I would be tempted to say a glass of wine, but on a more serious note…..Just sit back, relax and breathe. I guess you have to think to yourself, it will always work out no matter what. Getting stressed out and aggravated is NOT going to help any situation.

Tools or products you can’t live without?

Number one favorite mommy product is the Salon Grafix invisible dry spray shampoo, something that EVERY mom should own. Makes my hair look fresh and clean without requiring me to wash and style my hair every single day. Favorite product for babies was definitely the Sophie the Giraffe. Up until a few months ago, that was an amazing toy to keep the baby happy and comfortable while teething.

Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with uyc s?

“You are the author of your book so remember that you write the chapters,  you dictate the page breaks and you decide the ending to the story!”

Also a fun one to live by…. “Dance like NOBODY is watching.”

Favorite resources, books, or website?

For me Tammy Gold (parenting coach and expert) is definitely my number one “go to” resource. Tammy is a friend, a mentor and a coach for me on all things parenting. When anything goes wrong with my son I always know she is going to give me the best advice!

I also turn to about.com and Baby Center for answers to my parenting questions.

What does the future hold for you?

Next up for me is to open a new office in Miami. I currently have two offices one in NYC and one in North Jersey. I am hoping that in 2012 I can open a third office in Miami.

I can’t stress how much I love being a working mother. It is definitely tough and there are times I am not sure how I am going to be able to keep balancing the two. If anyone has any questions or feels like talking about the subject, please feel free to contact me so we can chat!

Connect with her:

Twitter:  PR Revolution
Facebook: Elyse Segall
Website: PR Revolution

 

Tags: elyse bender-segall, public relations, working mom spotlight

Angie Goff is an Emmy award winning journalist who anchors the weekend editions of News4 Today on NBC Washington. She’s also a host of “The Rundown” on NBC Washington Nonstop. Angie realized the power and impact of social media early and uses that expertise in her reports.  The new mom has a popular blog OhMyGoff.tv that covers social media matters, trends and community highlights. A military brat, Angie is dedicated to helping veterans and is a big supporter of The Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood?

I’m still trying to figure that one out. Everyday is a challenge. I admit, some days I think I can’t make it… you’re so tired, drained. But there’s something that Adora does to me. She’s only 24 pounds but finds a way to give me strength and energy I didn’t know existed.

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

Raise them from the beginning (I mean birth!) the way you want them to behave later. This was tremendous help when we were trying to establish a sleep pattern.

Battling stress? Any advice?

Even when it rains I force myself to get outside. So many of us spend our day pent up in an office.. or the house. It’s amazing what fresh air, even for 10 minutes, even in the rain can do for you. 

Tools or products you can’t live without?

I love my Bob Stroller, iPhone (we facetime with everyone– baby loves it!), Mum Mums rice cracker snacks, Jacadi velour jumpsuit (sooo soft!)

Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with us?

If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day.That’s a heck of a day. -Jim Valvano

Favorite resources, books, or website?

O Magazine, Pinterest.com, theminisocial.com, Book “Spit That Out”

Any other projects you are working on right now?

MICHEL at the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner continues it’s Dinner with Benefits program. This time they’re helping local children with cancer. For two nights a week, five percent of the proceeds from every Dinner with Benefits meal will be donated to and awesome group Teardrops to Rainbows beginning October 4. Teardrops to Rainbows is based in Fairfax, Virginia providing support, services and financial assistance to area children with cancer and their families. More info at teardropsandrainbows.org

Connect with her:

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/ohmygoff
Facebook:  http://facebook.com/tvangie
Blog: http://ohmygoff.tv

Tags: Angie Goff, nbc washington nonstop, news4 today, working mom, working mom advice

Jennifer Owens is editorial director of Working Mother magazine and director of the Working Mother Research Institute. Prior to joining Working Mother, Jennifer did stints as a reporter and editor, writing about everything from politics and business to fashion and crochet. These days, when she’s not working on the magazine or its research projects, Jennifer speaks on work-life and women’s advancement issues. She has been featured on ABC News, Fox Business News and in newspapers and magazines nationwide. She and her husband, Brett, have two kids: Gwendolyn, 8, and Owen, 4.

Over the years, how have you learned to balance career and motherhood?

I’m still trying to figure it out. I actually don’t like the word balance because nothing is ever in balance. I prefer the phrase “work-life satisfaction.” I believe in the power of words and I think that phrase allows for times when your family life overwhelms work and visa versa. From a more practical standpoint, the key for me is flexibility. I often end up working after the kids go to bed, but I also make nearly every school event. And if I can’t, my husband does. We tag-team everything, and that’s another key to making it all work.

Is there one particular parenting lesson you’ve learned about raising kids?

Honestly, my biggest personal lesson is to try to keep my own crazies to myself. Take heights. I’ve come to hate them, but while I was on a business trip, my husband took the kids for a ride on a Ferris wheel at Coney Island. I was just about say, “Oh, no! Where you scared?!” when I realized that my often-nervous daughter was starting to tell me about how brave she was — and what a good time she’d had. I reminded myself that there’s no need to put my fears into her head. (My son, on the other hand, is a daredevil and wouldn’t care if I was scared or not!)

Battling stress? Any advice?

I just read Eight Weeks to Optimum Health by Dr. Andrew Weil. I’ve still got a long way to go, but I am trying to eat better — and I do his breathing exercises when I’m starting to get overwhelmed. You can also catch me doing stretches when I’m at the copier, waiting for printouts.

Tools or products you can’t live without?

Shared Google Calendars. If it’s not on one of our multiple family calendars, then it’s not going to get done. We also use these calendars to plan ahead for changing childcare needs when either my husband or I need to work late, or the kids have an early day off from school.

Do you have an inspirational quote, motto or philosophy you can share with us?

I have this hanging in my office:

“Be brave enough to live creatively. The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. You cannot get there by bus, only by hard work, risking and by not quite knowing what you are doing. What you will discover will be wonderful: Yourself.” — Alan Alda

Favorite resources, books, or website?

My favorite take-a-break website is gofugyourself.com. I love the ridiculous outfits features on it — and the writing is really funny.

Anything else exciting going on at Working Mother Magazine?

Working Mother just launched a campaign to demand universal paid parental leave in the United States. We’re the only developed country that does not mandate paid parental leave – something that 178 countries already do. We’ve teamed up with the National Partnership for Women & Families to launch a petition drive. You can learn more about the campaign — and why it’s needed here.

Connect with her:

Twitter:  @working_mother
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/working.mother
Website: workingmother.com
Other: linkedin.com/in/jennowens

Tags: Jennifer Owens, working mom spotlight, Working Mother Magazine, Working Mother Research Institute